Brad Von Gillern
Non-Partisan | Nebraska
Candidate Profile*
Conservative (Conditional)
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Brad Von Gillern
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
Member of the Legislature, Dist. 4
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, BS, Construction Management Engineering, 1983
WORK & MILITARY
NA
AFFILIATIONS
Lifegate Church, Board Member, Salvation Army
Executive Board Member, MidAmerica Council, Boy Scouts of America, Chairperson
Omaha Leaders, Vice Chair, Development Chair, Secretary, Downtown Omaha Rotary Club
President, Downtown Rotary Foundation, President
Young Presidents' Organization, Chair, Vice Chair, Education Chair
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
NA
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
NA
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (6)
*Dave Heineman
*Don Bacon
*John Arch
*National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
Nebraska Taxpayers for Freedom
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Governor Pete Ricketts; Lt Gov. Mike Foley; Gov Dave Heineman; Congressman Don Bacon; Congressman/Mayor Hal Daub;
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
None
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
A comprehensive overhaul of the outdated tax system on Nebraskans is needed to reduce the total burden. The Inheritance tax needs to be eliminated.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
All government spending should be considered in order to determine where efficiencies and spending cuts could occur.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
College should be affordable, but the burden of college expense should not be borne by all taxpayers just for the few that benefit from it.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None. Churches are the spiritual "hospitals" for our citizens. Removing access has been, and would be detrimental to the spiritual and mental health of our citizens.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
C
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None. We need to be responsible about caring for ourselves and others and vaccinations are one way that we choose to do so. But in no case should the government have the right to make those decisions on our behalf.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Answers apply to any form of terrorism, not just Islamic: Strengthen our borders; Strengthen our leadership in Washington; Impose economic and other sanctions against nations who support terrorism in any form. Stand up and speak loudly when atrocities occur and when necessary, take offensive or defensive measures;
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Choose not to answer
I have traveled to Israel and met with both Jews and Palestinians. I have been met with several organizations that are seeking reconciliation between the two factions, and others that are working to expand understanding of each parties views. I believe strongly that Israel has a right to nation status and occupation of their land, but also believe that more could be done to humanely address the needs of the Palestinian nation. This is a horribly complicated matter to address here.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
The US has always been a nation of immigrants and we should continue to have a logical, well-thought out, well-managed and policed immigration policy. Open borders are dangerous to our nation. Under the Biden Administration, have no idea who is coming in, where they are coming from and what their intentions and allegiances are.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I strongly agree with this statement and also acknowledge that our founding fathers allowed for freedom of other religions to be safely practiced.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Strongly Agree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am an Evangelical Christian who believes that Christ died for my sins, and through my acceptance of his gift of salvation that I'll live with Him forever.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Require a government issued photo ID to verify that a voter is who they say that they are.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism exists in many forms. The civil unrest we've seen in recent years is a form of racism and definitely is a threat to our safety and security.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
Laws that are currently in place have improved water and air quality in recent decades. They have been effective and further additional regulations do not seem prudent at this time.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Government exists to provide limited, but necessary services to the people including their safety and infrastructure. I believe that limited government is best for it's people.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
NA
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I am a fiscal and social conservative. I have owned and operated a substantial construction business in Omaha for the past twenty years and will bring a strong business-sense to the legislature. I know how to lead well and how to reach consensus with varying positions and mindsets. I am a person of faith, strong values and compassion for others. I see my greatest responsibility as a legislator as improving the lives of Nebraskans.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Very few. Individuals who are proven to be a threat to the safety of themselves or others should not have access guns.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
